Mexican Swine Influenza - Update Eleven

A further three people have tested positive for Influenza A and are being treated as having Swine Flu. This brings the total number of people who are being regarded as confirmed or probable cases of Swine Flu to 14.

These three new cases returned positive results for Influenza A last night and the Ministry of Health is assuming that all people who have tested positive to Influenza A and travelled with the Rangitoto College party, have Swine Flu. Other ill people who have tested positive to Influenza A after returning from the affected areas of Mexico or the United States are likely to have Swine Flu, however, specimens will be sent to the WHO lab in Melbourne for confirmation.

The new cases are in the Auckland region and are being treated with Tamiflu and are in isolation at home. Auckland Regional Public Health said two of the new cases were not associated with the group from Rangitoto College, but had travelled in areas affected by Swine Flu.

Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Fran McGrath, said if you’re feeling unwell and haven’t travelled in the affected areas in the seven days before becoming ill, do what you’d usually do - there is no cause for concern. Stay home, drink plenty of fluids and take panadol for pain or fever. If necessary phone your doctor for further advice.

However, if you have returned from Mexico or the USA in the past seven days, and start to develop symptoms of influenza you should phone a health professional for further advice as soon as you start feeling unwell.

Anyone wanting more information should call Healthline 0800 611 116.

For the 24 hours to midnight on Tuesday Healthline answered 1381 calls. This is almost double their usual workload.

Passengers taken to Middlemore Hospital

Screening of international passengers arriving at Auckland International Airport has continued overnight.

Between 11pm last night and 10am this morning, 16 passengers experiencing flu-like symptoms were detected. Of those 16 passengers, 11 met the criteria for suspected swine flu.

Six of those 11 passengers have been treated with Tamiflu and sent home to remain in isolation. The remaining five passengers were in transit to other airports and therefore could not be sent home.

They have instead been sent to Middlemore Hospital, where they are currently in isolation and are being treated with Tamiflu.

Only one of those five passengers is unwell enough to need hospital care. Alternative isolation accommodation is currently being arranged for the other four.

Swabs of all the 11 passengers suspected of swine flu have been taken.

Symptoms of influenza

Symptoms of influenza include:
Sudden onset of illness
Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
Fatigue
Muscle pains
Runny nose/cough/sore throat
In some cases, people also have vomiting and diarrhoea.

“The vaccination for seasonal influenza is unlikely to protect you from swine influenza, however, I would encourage people to have an influenza immunisation as it’s something they can do to help themselves stay healthy.

“Currently there is no vaccination for Swine Flu,” Dr McGrath said.

Protecting yourself from influenza

“The most important thing we can do to protect ourselves is regular and effective hand washing. When coughing or sneezing cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Afterwards promptly dispose of the tissue and wash your hands.

Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose, ears and eyes as mucous membranes can let the virus in to your body through your airways or eyes.

For further information, please contact Karalyn van Deursen (021) 832 459